In Alexandria today, Federal Judge Gerald Bruce Lee affirmed an earlier finding by an administrative appeal board and has ordered the Patent and Trademark Office to cancel registration of the Washington Redskins’ trademark. He ruled that the Redskins name may be disparaging to Native Americans.

The team is still free to use the name; however, the team would lose the registered trademark protections.

The Washington Redskins organization has argued that it is a violation of free speech rights if the government is the one to determine if the Redskin name is offensive.

The organization will undoubtedly appeal the decision.

For a complete look at the the entire court opinion along with a litany of history on the subject click on the link Washington Redskins Case.